"I don't think we'd better talk about that at this stage," said Mr. Etheringham. "At least that's my advice. Of course, if later on the business warranted the hope that----" "Well, anyhow, let's go on as long as the money lasts," said Arthur. "All right. Can you be ready with those cuts and the new lines by to-morrow afternoon, Beverley?" "Yes." He had never stopped turning over the pages of the script. "Very well, I'll call a rehearsal for two o'clock." Ayesha Layard rose from the sofa. "Well, good-night," she said. "May I wait for you?" asked Joe. "Yes, if you like, but I want to speak to Mr. Lisle first." As she passed Arthur, she took hold of his arm and led him to her dressing-room. "Just a second!" she said to her dresser. When the woman had gone out, she planted herself in the chair before the looking-glass and regarded Arthur with a smile. "Were you really ready to put up more money?" she asked. "Are you a millionaire? Because you're not in love with me, and that's the only other thing that might explain it." "I hate being beat," Arthur protested. "Happened to you before, hasn't it? In other directions, I mean." Just as he was looking at her, wondering how much she knew--for something she evidently knew--a knock came at the door, and the dresser appeared with a telegram in her hand. "You're Mr. Lisle, sir, aren't you? This came for you just as the curtain went up, and it got forgotten till now." She gave it to Arthur and went out again. "May I read it?" He opened it. "Good luck to you to-night. I wish I could be with you, but circumstances don't permit--Bernadette." The despatch came from Genoa. Bernadette had looked out for the doings of _Did You Say Mrs.?_ in the English papers! "Yes, it's happened to me before," said Arthur, smiling rather grimly. He put the piece of paper into her hands. "A telegram of good wishes--come to hand rather late." "Bernadette? A lady friend? Oh, I remember! _The_ lady-friend, isn't it? She thinks of you! Touching!" "I find it so, rather. But, I say, aren't you tired to death?" "Next door! But I just wanted to say good-bye to you. I like you, you know. You're pleasant, and you lose like a gentleman, and you haven't rounded on Willie and me, and told us it's all our fault." "Your fault indeed! You were splendid. And mayn't it be just good-night, and not good-bye, Miss Layard?" "Call it which you like. I know what it will be. This isn't your line, really. Good-night then--and don't give Joe any more money. He'd break the Bank of England, if they'd let him." "I won't then. And I like you, if I may say so. And we're all tremendously in your debt." He raised the hand she gave him to his lips and kissed it in a courtly fashion. He looked handsome as he did it, and she was amused that he should do it. She looked up at him with dancing eyes and a merry laugh. "Kiss me good-bye, then, really, if you mean it--and don't be too disgusted with all of us to-morrow morning!"